Marion Car Park
You might recall the previous saga, a minor fiasco even, of a foreclosure and then trying to demolish the Marion Car Park (early July 2014, late July 2014, March 2015).
They're back at the Historic Landmarks Commission, and at first glance it appears they might have a winning proposal.
Is it more than vaporware? |
Hearing on the 20th |
Our appetite for parking led to demolishing a truly historic building |
The Marion Car Park is no great thing, and we should not greatly mourn its loss when replaced by a much higher value building.
Maybe there will be more to say once the Staff Report it out, but it would not be surprising if this time a demolition permit is secured. Maybe some claw-back or other kinds of conditions can be attached to ensure there is no lengthy period of empty gravel lot; it would be nice to insist on an approved site plan before demolition can take place, for example. But on the whole, a new hotel would be a higher use for the land and site.
About a hotel's design there will surely be more to say, but about the demolition alone, maybe not. We'll see when the Staff Report comes out. (Update - see below.)
Mountain West at Fairview
Remember the mixed-use and Village Center concepts for Sustainable Fairview?
from the most recent refinement plan (2016) |
Hearing on the 18th |
In 2016 a revision reduced much of the area for the Village Center, but still called it "Adaptive Use" zone (in red below). At this point, however, it sure doesn't look like the plan at hand "adapts" any building at all.
A more schematic view (also 2016) |
Site plan for 3-story walkups (roughly the red area above) |
The original Village Center concept (2004) "pedestrian-oriented" and mixed-use |
At the same time, the Managing Partner for the project passed away this summer, the project had struggled, and selling off part of it for more immediate and conventional development could provide the cash that enables the remaining part to be developed in a more "sustainable" and urban mode. (Life's always more complicated.)
The Staff Report will be very interesting!
This one will almost certainly merit further comment closer to the Hearing date.
Update, December 13th
The Staff Report is out on the Marion Car Park demolition and hotel concept and recommends approval with a couple of conditions.
Two conditions |
This would be a satisfactory outcome.
Additionally, it's interesting in the proposal to note that the whole second floor is parking, with the rooms only starting on the third floor. There's also a small parking area on the first floor, but it's all wrapped by sidewalk retail/commercial space. The driveway would be off the alley.
Update 2, January 5th, 2019
On Fairview, here are some brief notes on the Staff Report and since that hearing was continued, that post will also be updated.
Update 3, July 16th, 2019
Looks like the demolition permit has been issued - and formal design review submitted.
via Twitter |
5 comments:
The SJ has a story this evening with more on the hotel proposed for the Marion Car Park site:
'Portland developers hope to build a $43 million hotel in downtown Salem, if they can raise enough money through a so-called opportunity zone that gives investors tax breaks to help pay for economic development projects.
The proposal "is for a 123-room hotel, with a lobby bar and a rooftop bar"....
Sturgeon said to build the Salem hotel, they need to raise $25 million through the qualified opportunity fund. The rest they can drum up through other sources.
Investors have until March 31 to commit money. "We have had money committed," Sturgeon said, though she declined to disclose how much "because it's a securities offering."'
So at this point the hotel is rather more speculative than firmly planned.
Updated on Marion Car Park/hotel concept with clip from Staff Report, which recommends approval for demolition with conditions.
Updated with link to notes on the Fairview project.
The Marion Car Park demolition was approved on a unanimous vote and the Staff Report's recommendations adopted without amendment.
And it looks like demolition has started. Updated with clip.
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